Judaism in historical perspective

We Jews talk a lot about our history, but often the history of the people, not so much the history of our religion or Torah. An exception is Jonathan Sarna, University Professor of American Jewish History at Brandeis University, and author of several books, including “American Judaism: A History,” (2^nd edition, 2019).

On Nov. 15-17, he’ll speak at Temple Emanu-El’s adult education weekend. He’s an especially appropriate choice this year, as the congregation is celebrating its centennial year.

He’ll speak at three occasions. The first is around 8 p.m. after Shabbat dinner on the 15th, with “The Best is Yet to Come: Temple Emanu-El’s First Century in Historical Perspective.” The second is a sermon on Shabbat morning, 11:15 a.m., titled “The Binding of Isaac and the History of American Judaism.” The third is a roundtable discussion during kiddush lunch, at 12:15 p.m. All of these events will be at the shul in Providence and are open to the public; only the first requires advance registration.

Besides having written the most prominent history of American Judaism, Sarna is known for arguing that the current declining interest in Jewish religious practice is likely temporary, a “religious recession.”

Instead of a linear story of declining religiosity amid secularization, Sarna sees a cycle, with diverse practices and revivals counterbalancing declines. He nevertheless applauds Jewish angst over declining religiosity, because it prevents complacency and prompts innovation.

He celebrates inclusion and experimentation in our decentralized, competitive society. Judaism’s dynamism in America, he says, stems from three separate avenues for Jews to express themselves: maintaining sacred traditions, adapting to the American or modern context and promoting unity or peoplehood.

While these different avenues are often in conflict, he says they also work as checks and balances, with none of the three dominating the overall agenda for long. What some critics see as fragmentation, he treats as a strength. His pluralist approach to Jewish history is controversial, but it offers an important perspective often ignored.

That perspective will be welcome at Temple Emanu-El, a Conservative congregation that throughout its history has worked, and continues to work, on the tension between modernity, tradition and community.

For information or to register for the Friday evening talk, contact program director Shoshana Jacob at shosh@teprov.org, or 401-331-1616.

 JOHN LANDRY lives in Providence and is a longtime member of Temple Emanu-El’s adult education committee.